Corktown : Detroit Development News

With spring in the air, lots of new businesses and developments are being whispered about around town. Here are more than a few that we've heard recently; look for more detailed coverage in the future.

Vixen Fitness is set to open Feb. 26 in Eastern Market. The studio will offer female-centric pole dancing, Zumba and belly dancing classes.

Movement celebrated its grand opening on Feb. 19 inside the N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art on E. Forest. Expect yoga, dance, Tai Chi, Capoeira and bodywork classes.

On the same note, word is that another yoga studio is headed to the site of the ill-fated Sunflower Market and, speaking of markets, May is the month that we understand that Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe hopes to be open in Brush Park.

Onto caffeine: Bottom Line Coffee Shop at the Beethoven is in build-out mode, as is Astro Coffee in Corktown. Signs are up for two more in Midtown: one across the street from the Bronx Bar on Second Ave. and another at the Park-Shelton on Woodward just north of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Again, we'll keep you posted when we know more.

Finally, three senior housing projects, all along the E. Jefferson corridor, have been announced (in addition to Dickerson Manor, which Model D reported on last week!):

• The former Omni Hotel will become Roberts Riverwalk Hotel and Residence. Half of the facility will remain hotel accommodations, but half will become senior housing. Read more about the plans at Crain's Detroit Business.
  
• Two vacant industrial buildings just north of the GM-UAW Center for Human Resources will be converted into a senior citizen complex courtesy of Henry Ford Health System, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan and United Methodist Retirement Communities.
  
• The former Riverview Hospital on E. Jefferson near W. Village was sold by St. John Providence to a group of investors that plan to develop the facility into a full-service senior center that includes a nursing home, urgent care center and even a barber shop and beauty salon. Read more at the Detroit Free Press.
  

Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Hostel Detroit hasn't yet opened its doors in North Corktown, but it is already the new home for Detroit Massage and Wellness. The business, which opened last December, is owned and operated by licensed massage therapist Hannah Lewis.

The Oak Park native has been in the massage therapy field for seven years and moved back from Richmond, Virginia three years ago to be closer to her husband. She then set up shop in Royal Oak, running Tune In Body Works.  But the long commute from her residence in Corktown, making her feel like she was lessening her time with clients, inspired her to move her practice closer to home.

"I just could not find a place that I was comfortable working at," Lewis says. "I wanted to work somewhere close to me so that I could be flexible for my clients."

Located just five minutes away from her home, Detroit Massage and Wellness is a tranquil, soothing environment where clients can come to unwind before their sessions.

"The place really has a wellness center approach," says Lewis. "It's an upscale atmosphere, more like a spa, it's very relaxing, and I get to use actual therapy on my clients while they are getting their treatment."

The business offers treatments such as aromatherapy, hot stone massages, massage therapy sessions, and deep tissue massages, all at reasonable prices. Lewis personally recommends adding aroma therapy to a session because clients can achieve more healing through the different oils that are used. And with the almost-nonexistent commute to work, Lewis says she is able to dedicate more time to clients, many of whom live in Detroit, Hamtramck, or in the suburbs.

"There are a lot of positive things about being here in Corktown. The massage therapy clients always come back, we're all under the same roof and I am able to give them what they want."

When the Hostel Building opens to the public in April, Lewis plans to relocate to Spaulding Court, which is located behind the Hostel Building. Find out more information about Detroit Massage and Wellness on Facebook.

Source: Hannah Lewis, Detroit Massage and Wellness
Writer: Veronica Grandison

Personal trainer Kimo Frederickson picked up his business, True Body Fitness, from Howell and relocated it to Corktown. "I was tired of living there and I thought about joining the Navy," he says. Instead, he found himself joining up with Make/Shift Detroit, a group of young entrepreneurs relocating to Detroit with an aim of "bringing to light what Detroit has to offer."

The Make/Shifters found a residence in Corktown and, conveniently, so did True Body Fitness -- at 2138 Michigan Avenue just east of Trumbull. The studio is comprised of two 800-square-feet storefronts; one is used for group classes and the other houses fitness equipment.

Frederickson's philosophy is that health is a long-term commitment. "The big thing is that it's a lifestyle change, not a crash diet," he says. "I was overweight growing up (so I know that it can be) a big struggle." Group classes cost $15 a session and include Pilates, boot camp, core balance, yoga fusion with weights, and group flexibility.

Personal training sessions cost $40 to $60 an hour depending on frequency and duration. Possibilities include weight loss and management, balance and sports specific, flexibility, cardio and metabolic training.  

So far, Frederickson has found Detroit to be a welcoming city. "There are downsides, just like any other city, any other place," he says. "But the community has been very supportive, everyone wants to help out -- I really feel like everyone is keeping an eye out for me."

January marks three years in business for True Body and Frederickson plans to celebrate the anniversary by investing in more commercial fitness equipment. He is also looking to add group fitness instructors and personal trainers to the True Body roster. Call Soe at 734-502-5596 for more information.

Find out more information about Make/Shift at The Urbane Life.

Source: Kimo Frederickson, True Body Fitness
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

For three years Mudgie's Deli has bustled at 1300 Porter, the Corktown space that was previously occupied by Eph McNally's for years. Owner Greg Mudge -- an erstwhile Eph's server -- has now made the decision to move his operation Downtown to 1260 Library St., next-door to Vincente's Cuban Cuisine, to "better serve his customers," many who work in the Central Business District, he says.

The new space will seat approximately the same number of people (think 35) and, at least for now, will offer the same menu of sandwiches, salads, sides and a couple of daily soups. In the future, Mudge might consider expanding his offerings, since the Library St. kitchen is larger than the one he currently works in. "For now, it will be the exact same format, new place," he says.

The move to Downtown is a done deal -- plans are for it to go down in February -- but Mudge does allow for the possibility of continuing to operate the Corktown location as well -- if some improvements are made to the space. "I hate to leave, I've become attached to this little corner," he says.

While the loss of a neighborhood restaurant never tastes pleasant, 2011 promises to be palatable to Corktowners for a handful of reasons, including:

• Odds are looking good that Jerry Belanger of Park Bar fame will be the new proud owner of Bailie Corcaigh, located at the corner of Bagley and Trumbull. The bar and restaurant is yet to be named and the format is not yet determined, but there is good reason to believe that it won't be lousy;
  


• A coney island/diner is getting ready to open at The Corner of Michigan and Trumbull;


• An Italian/pizza spot is headed to the former pawn shop at Michigan and Eighth;


• Burgers are planned for the Mercury Bar space at Michigan and 14th; and


• Classic cocktails will be pouring from Sugar House Bar, opening soon at 2130 Michigan Ave.

That's quite a bit of action in one small area that, of course, we promise to cover meticulously in the new year.

Source: Greg Mudge, Mudgie's Deli
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

The possibility of Corktown's Roosevelt Hotel seeing new life just got a bit more probable. Boydell Development Co. purchased the property last month after it went into foreclosure in September, and while some of the company's holdings may not inspire (Bouzouki, perhaps?), the truth is that there are plenty of successes to point to, including Coaches Corner, Russell Industrial Center and Niki's Pizza, which recently underwent a major renovation.

The abrupt change in ownership had the potential to derail the installation of a 35-foot neon sign declaring "No Vacancy" that was planned for the north face of the building. Luckily, Boydell agreed to allow it. "Dennis (Kefallinos, president of Boydell) is an avid supporters of the arts," says Eric Novack, project manager for Boydell. "And there is the possibility of development in the future, but we have to take a hard look at it first."

Boydell already owns a handful of properties in the neighborhood, including the Brooklyn and Lafayette Lofts. "We love that area," says Novack.

The hotel is smack-dab in the middle of a bundle of activity: to the south is Imagination Station, a proposed community media center, to the north is a newly surfaced community parking lot and the park that it faces is undergoing revitalization efforts. It once serviced travelers who disembarked at Michigan Central Station, and later lived as an SRO before fire damage forced its closure. It has sat empty for about a decade.

The Hygenic Dress League, the duo behind the sign installation, will officially unveil it with a public art performance this Saturday, Nov. 20, at 5:07 p.m. Find coverage of their unique approach to branding here and Loveland's Kickstarter campaign for the sign here.

Read a Model D Q&A with Kefallinos here.

Source: Eric Novack, Boydell Development
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Detroit has been without the kind of affordable accommodations for budget-minded travelers called a hostel for some time. Yet the increase in adventuresome visitors to the city could mean that Hostel Detroit, slated to open in April of 2011, is coming online at just the right time.

Project coordinator Emily Doerr has signed a lease on a four-unit, 4,000-square foot building in North Corktown that sits on nearly 9,000 square feet of land. The building was built in 1900 and was significantly rehabilitated by owner Jerry Esters ten years ago.

When the entire building is turned over to hostel usage in the spring, there will be a total of nine bedrooms, three that will hold double beds and six that will hold up to 20 bunkbeds. Three kitchens and three bathrooms will be available for guests. A one-bedroom ground-floor unit will serve as office, check-in area, common room and, potentially, a bedroom for the manager.

Doerr envisions the hostel as a "welcome mat" for Detroit. If guests are interested in urban agriculture, art, music or architecture, they would be keyed into that scene by the manager and volunteers. There will be regular dinners and events, open to hostel guests as well as Detroiters.

Volunteer teams are being recruited to implement a sustainable vision for the hostel that includes design, a board of directors, event planning, business partnerships and volunteer and staff management. Anyone interested in participating should email hosteldetroit@gmail.com. Donations of goods and money are also accepted and will be tax deductible.

Source: Emily Doerr, Hostel Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Fueled by Kickstarter funds and nearly 3,000 salvaged bricks, artist Jerome Ferretti has constructed a Monumental Kitty sculpture in North Corktown. Located at the north end of the pedestrian overpass that stretches over I-75 at Cochrane Street, the cat's head measures nine feet in diameter and stretches more than seven feet tall to the tips of its ears. A twisting tail and paw are yet to be built.

The dome that forms the cat's head is supported by gravel and an underlying layer of brick. All bricks and the limestone ears were reclaimed, some by Ferretti himself and some from the Imagination Station.

Inspiration for the design came from architect Antoni Gaudi, Corktown's abundance of cats and the Detroit Lions and Tigers. Ferretti also references the mythical part-cat, part-human Sphinx that ate anyone that could not answer its riddles. "That's my relationship to Corktown," he jokes.

Monumental Kitty was partially funded by Loveland.

Ferretti has a show up at the Cass Cafe until November 24. Cats, meat and his North Corktown community are themes that can be found in his new work.

Source: Jerome Ferretti
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

The City of Detroit's Municipal Parking Department probably gets cursed more often then praised, but its recent donation to a Corktown park could help them earn a few huzzahs.

Participation in A&E's Parking Wars netted the department $50,000, which it allocated to the Recreation Department. Mulliet Park in Corktown was targeted for an upgrade in accordance to the strategic master plan. "We engaged the community, asked them "What would you like to see?' and incorporated their ideas with ours," says Recreation Department director Alicia Minter.

The park's location on Vermont St. just across the street from Vistas Nuevas Head Start means the new play equipment is designed for children aged two to five. Rubberized safety surfacing, a new play structure, two sizes of swings, a slide and a carousel component were installed. "This is a great new recreation opportunity for families and children," Minter says.

Source: Alicia Minter, Detroit Recreation Department
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

The Michigan Department of Transportation is currently repaving a stretch of Michigan Avenue from Rosa Parks Blvd. west to Livernois.

So?

Well, what's notable is the addition of bike lanes, which reconfigures the trunk line into two lanes of vehicular traffic and one dedicated parking lane in either direction, a center turning lane and bike lanes. Bike lanes added a "negligible" cost to the overall $7.2 million project, according to Matthew Chynoweth, development engineer at the MDOT Detroit Transportation Service Center.

Todd Scott, the Detroit trails coordinator of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, says that bike lanes on the city's "spoke" roads are key to the city's overall non-motorized transportation plan. "In terms of a greenways network, all spoke roads are key connectors," he says. "Spoke roads are a great way to get from anywhere in the city to Downtown."

Bike lanes on this portion of Michigan Avenue will also play into the Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink that will be built in Spring 2011. The series of bike and pedestrian pathways and bike lanes, which is funded primarily by MDOT and the Greenways Initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, is intended to connect the neighborhoods of Corktown and Mexicantown to each other and to the Detroit River. Roads that are included in the network include Trumbull, Rosa Parks Blvd., W. Vernor, W. Grand Blvd., Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., Bagley and Lafayette.

Source: Matthew Chynoweth, MDOT and Todd Scott, MTGA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

On 14th St. just south of Michigan Avenue, a community parking lot has opened to service all neighborhood businesses on the block, including Slow's Bar B Q, O'Connor Real Estate and Development, LJ's Lounge and High Bias Recordings. The lot was completed just in time to help out with a loss of parking caused by the current resurfacing of Michigan Avenue. It will service existing and yet-to-open businesses, as street parking tends to fill up quickly in the area.

The lot has 42 spaces and is paved with concrete. "We could have put in more parking spots, but instead we created larger areas for the runoff to go into," says Ryan Cooley of O'Connor. "It was designed so that (the runoff) doesn't go into the drainage system, but into the earth."

Slow's funded the lot, but is prepared to share with its neighbors new and old. "There's a need for it with a few new businesses opening up," says Cooley. The block should soon see a burger joint in the former Mercury Bar, a coffee house and a classic cocktail lounge. As always, more info on all of these to come.

Source: Ryan Cooley, O'Connor
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Saturday marked the official grand opening of Goods, a custom-made wearables shop located in Midtown's Park Shelton Building.

Goods can personalize an article of clothing or bag with a stock saying or icon while at the shop, and purveyor Karry Brook can also work with custom artwork with a bit more turnaround. Items from local artists are also available for purchase. Read more about the process and the products here.

Hours are Tuesday noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The street address is 15 E. Kirby #108, but the storefront faces Woodward. Call 313-871-1466.

Also in the Park Shelton, Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes is expanding into the storefront that housed Leopold's Books -- but have no fear, the independent bookseller has just moved to a new space within the building.

Sarah Lapinski, she of Wound Menswear and Motor City Sewing -- a boutique sewing operation -- recently announced relocation to a larger space in Corktown. She writes: "This space is larger and cleaner throughout. You will feel a sense of inspiration when you enter this artist enclave known as the Brooklyn 2000 lofts. It has a kitchen, so now I never have to leave..."

Read more about Motor City Sewing here -- although note that, in the three years since this piece was written, Lapinski has become the sole proprietor of the business.

A patio that wraps from Second Ave. to Prentis now graces the Bronx Bar. In nice weather, doors open up from inside the bar to the elevated and fenced area. Windows draw light into the pub no matter the temps.

The Bronx is located at 4476 Second Ave. Call 313-832-8464. Hours are Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 a.m. Food is served until 11 p.m. Read Model D's ode to the bar here.

Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

After a devastating fire forced husband and wife co-owners Eva Reyes and Gerald Stevens to close their bar, Nancy's Whiskey's, they chose to rebuild and reopen. It took them nearly a year -- unsurprising considering that they were forced to tear "the whole bar down to the studs," says Stevens. "The only thing that remains from the first floor is the outside shell, but we worked really hard to keep that same old feeling."

The two most noticeable improvements are to the small bathrooms -- "which were sorely needed," says Stevens -- and kitchen, which Reyes will utilize to make homemade lunch specials, including regular appearances of corned beef.

Construction and permitting issues notwithstanding, the couple, who bought the historic pub in 2006, is thrilled to be back in business. "We're happy to be back, happy to be a part of things going on down here," says Stevens. "We're pro-Corktown, pro-Detroit (and the fire) hasn't swayed our outlook on what's happening down here. We're upbeat about what's going on."

There will be a grand re-opening celebration after a few weeks of a soft opening. The bar is open noon to midnight on Sundays and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. the rest of the week.

Nancy Whiskey's is at 2644 Harrison at Cochrane in N. Corktown. Call 313-962-4247.

Sources: Eva Reyes and Gerald Stevens, Nancy Whiskey's
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Corktown resident Travis Roberts, Jr. is teaming up with Detroit Evolution's Angela and Gregg Newsom on an initiative called GreenDome, a 35-foot-diameter geodesic dome greenhouse that will enable Roberts to farm year-round on a lot leased from the city. The dome will be off-grid by employing chickens, compost and low-cost goethermal in heating and its design will emphasize rain catchment. Production will be maximized by growing from both the ground and the ceiling.

GreenDome first debuted at Soup at Spaulding, a weekly dinner-slash-fundraising event. Each installation of Soup at Spaulding raises funds for both a selected community project and the renovation of Spaulding Court.

The next step is construction, which begins this week and should wrap up on Sept. 23 with installation planned for Oct. 1. Construction will employ conduit, lumber and glass that is reclaimed from deconstructed buildings. A full construction schedule can be found at Detroit Domes.

GreenDome has taken to Kickstarter to raise its financial goal of $638 -- more info on that here. Backers have until Sept. 15 to contribute.

Source: Gregg Newsom, Detroit Domes and Detroit Evolution
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Greening a building can seem like a tall hill to climb, what with LEED certification and Energy Star rating and all that technical stuff. But it doesn't have to be a mountain, as residents of Grinnell Place Lofts in Corktown have found.

Vanita Mistry moved into the building in 2007 after a brief stint at an apartment complex in Troy. She hated the fact that there was no on-site recycling program and liked that the Grinnell's developer built pick-up from Recycle Here! into the condo association fees. "It's one of the reasons that I wanted to live in the building," she says. "(Recycling) is kind of a pain in the butt otherwise."

Apparently, other like minds were drawn to it as well. Residents have chipped in to build four raised garden beds. "We hope to expand that," says Mistry. "Right now, we are growing vegetables and flowers."

One couple is collecting rain water from their roof access for the garden, another simple initiative that Mistry hopes to expand building-wide. There is also a shared compost pile and all common area light bulbs have been replaced with CFLs.

Dedicated bike parking is also high on Mistry's green to-do list. "There are more and more people moving in with more and more bikes, and it's getting out of control!" she says, promising to bring it up at a association meeting, which is how all of these sustainability efforts have gotten started. "We get together and make it happen, and usually, we want the same things."

Currently, the Grinnell's 33 units are about half-occupied. For information, call 313-961-6121.

Source: Vanita Mistry
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Detroit's oldest neighborhood, Corktown, continues to evolve, and Model D is here to report a few recent changes.

* Backstreet, a staple of Detroit's West Side gay scene since 1979, has moved into the area, taking over the space most recently occupied by The Works at 1846 Michigan Ave. at Rosa Parks. Cover is typically $5 before midnight and $10 after; it's always $10 for ages 18 to 20.

* Mudgie's Deli keeps finding new ways to lure in customers. In the past year, it has started serving dinner until 9 p.m. six days a week and now opens on Sunday for brunch. The latest draw? Outdoor seating with a pleasant view of Murphy Playlot. Head to 1300 Michigan Ave.; call 313-961-2000.

* Spirit of Hope Church, located at the intersection of Trumbull and Martin Luther King, Jr., also continues to grow. The complex holds services, sponsors a soup kitchen, runs a highly regarded preschool, Sunshine Community, hosts meetings, yoga and basketball ... and operates a farm. First planted in 2007, it now boasts a hoop house, chickens and even a turkey.

* Brooks Lumber is one of Detroit's oldest businesses -- it's been in its current location on Trumbull since before Tiger Stadium existed (and obviously outlived it, too). The venerable hardware store has added some garden supplies to its mix, now offering hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, a limited range of vegetable plants, fertilizer, pesticides, compost, manure and associated tools. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Brooks is at 2200 Trumbull; call 313-962-6448.

* Finally, 5 E Gallery has made its planned move from one Corktown location to another. You can now find it at 2661 Michigan Ave. just east of I-96. Read more here.

Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh